Aug 25, 2012

Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling

She's Come This Far.... Must She Turn Back Now?

After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.

Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But younger son Lucas decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.

Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?

Lauraine Snelling, an award-winning author of fifty-plus books with sales of over 2 million copies, also writes for a wide range of magazines and teaches at writers' conferences across the country. She and her husband make their home in Tehachapi, California. Visit www.laurainesnelling.com

Whispers in the Wind is book two in the Wild West Wind series. Book one was titled Valley of Dreams, which I had the privilege to read late last year.

At the end of book one, Cassie Lockwood finds herself homeless and grieving the only life she has ever known, as part of a Wild West show. Out of necessity, she has arrived at the ranch property that her father had always dreamed of returning to.

When Cassie discovers that someone else is operating a ranch on the property, she doesn't know where to turn. Surprisingly, the woman at the ranch opens her arms and her heart to Cassie, receiving her almost as a long-lost daughter. However, others in the family are less than trusting of her motives.

At times, Cassie almost feels like she has finally come home, but the troubles are far from over. She faces danger, financial stress and more as she tries to provide a home and security for herself and her strange collection of friends and animals.

I love both books in this series, and I hope there is another one. I want to find out what happens next to Cassie, the young woman with an unusual trick riding and sharp-shooting talent. I have a feeling that the adventures with Cassie are just beginning, or at least I hope so.

Disclosure: Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group.